Southington Police Expect To Charge Suspect In Fatal Hit-And-Run

SOUTHINGTON — Police have a warrant charging a 46-year-old man in a connection with a fatal crash on Queen Street in February.

The warrant charges Edward Fascendini, of Plainville, with misconduct with a motor vehicle and three counts of evading responsibility.

Police expect to serve the warrant on May 9 when Fascendini appears in Superior Court in Bristol on unrelated charges.

Police say Fascendini struck three pedestrians on Feb. 12, 2013 while driving a Dodge pickup truck and fled the scene.

One of the pedestrians, 23-year-old Yan Qiao "Joanne" Chen, died as a result of her injuries from the crash. The other two were injured and are recovering.

Yang "Rita" Hong, one of the two women injured, has notified Southington of her intent to sue the town, claiming its failure to clear a sidewalk on Queen Street forced the three women to walk in the road, exposing them to danger.

Hong, 23, now living in Brooklyn, suffered injuries to her limbs, body and head, according to a letter her attorney sent to the town in early April.

The town has not heard anything from the other person injured, Huai "Emily" Liu, 23.

Investigators linked Fascendini's pickup to the accident. Southington police also obtained helpful information at a traffic checkpoint the night of the accident, police said.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Southington police at 860-621-0101, Officer Timothy Wilk at 860-378-1600,Ext. 2352 or by e-mail at twilk@southingonpolice.org.